The Weekly Quarterback

Geno Smith and the Jets battled all night against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday evening even to the point where they jumped out to a 21-3 lead early on in the first half of the game. Aaron Rodgers and the Pack battled back to go up a touchdown at the end of the third to complete the 18 point comeback with an 80 yard catch and run by Jordy Nelson. It seemed as though the Jets had tied the game on a 4th and 4 in Green Bay territory on a Jeremy Kerley touchdown reception from Geno Smith but the Jets inexplicably called a timeout prior to the snap to nullify the play. The Jets would eventually turn the ball over on downs and lose the subsequent game game by the final score of 31-24.

As far as Geno Smith is concerned it was the tale of two halves. We saw the good, the bad and the ugly which is something we consistently saw throughout the entire 2013 season. He had his ups and downs despite almost pulling out the win in a game the Jets were supposed to lose. He still showed a rocket arm, grit and some good reads despite struggling against the second half blitz of the Packers. Every throw and run from Geno will be examined closely in the following analysis.

Geno takes a three step drop as the two inside receivers run to the flats. Geno reads the right side of the formation. The outside receiver runs a flag and the tightend runs right to the flats after chip blocking the defensive end. Geno makes the right read as the defenders drop into a Cover 2 sink look and fires the ball to his tightend in the flat. His mechanics are poor as he steps into the throw but steps up field and opens up his body as the ball is overthrown wide to Jeff Cumberland the tight end for an incompletion.

Throw #2Personnel: Shotgun, 1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRTime: 14:15, 3rd & 11

Geno Smith takes a three step drop with a hitch in his initial step as he's dropping back. He has a clean pocket. The two receivers and tight end bunched to the left run a combo route in which the tightend runs up the seam and the Jeremy Kerley runs underneath the seam route to run a 9 yard sit route right underneath another Cover 2 sink look. Geno throws flat footed at the back of his drop without a step into the throw, but still delivers a good ball to Kerley on the sit so that he can easily pickup the first down. Complete for 11.

Run #1Personnel: Under center, 2 RB, 3 TETime: 13:06, 2nd & Goal

Geno stumbles out from under center on what looks to be a play action fake and rolls out without much of a fake. The tight end from the left runs a drag while the sole tigh tend on the right runs a corner route. Both receivers are covered and Geno tucks the ball and runs for the pylon; TOUCHDOWN.

Throw #3Personnel: Shotgun, 1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRTime: 10:27, 1st & 10

Geno takes the snap and another 3 step drop. The tight end and inside receiver run another rub route combination in which the inside receiver runs up the seam and cuts in then Jace Amaro runs an underneath as the coverage reacts to the tight end running deeper over the middle of the field. He has good mechanics on this throw and steps into it driving the ball to his 6'6" tight end for a gain of 6.

Run #2Personnel: Shotgun, 1 RB, 2 TE, 2 WRTime: 9:48, 2nd & 4

Geno Smith motions Jeremy Kerley to the back of the formation as they begin to run the read option. He makes the right read by keeping the ball as the linebacker crashes down and leaves no one to defend him. He gains about 6 yards before pitching the ball to Jeremy Kerley for a gain of 37.

Run #3Personnel: Shotgun, 1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRTime: 9:38, 1st & 10

Geno rides out a play action and rolls out to his right beating the defensive end to the corner. There are no wide receivers down field with any separation so Geno tucks the ball and runs for a gain of 7 while sliding to protect himself from a big hit.

Throw #4Personnel: Shotgun, 1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRTime: 8:29, 3rd & 3

The Packers send a 6 man blitz up the middle right at Geno with man across the board and one high safety over the top. Geno takes a three step and pump fakes to the underneath receiver. He doesn't have a chance to step into the throw because of the pressure up the middle. He stands flat footed and gets drilled as he delivers a beautiful loft allowing Eric Decker to run right underneath the ball for 29 yards; TOUCHDOWN.

Throw #5Personnel: Shotgun, 1 RB, 3 TE, 1 WRTime: 3:36, 2nd & 6

Geno takes the snap and carries out a decent play fake to Chris Ivory. He then takes one step back and opens up to fire the ball to Eric Decker who is wide open on a sit route. The ball is thrown a bit high and to the outside but within easy reach of Eric Decker to fall for a couple extra yards for a completion of 13.

Throw #6Personnel: Shotgun, 1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRTime: 2:34, 2nd & 7

Geno takes the snap and fakes very quickly to Chris Ivory before firing to Jeremy Kerley in the slot on a swing screen. The ball is thrown very well on target for Kerley to get up field for a gain of 6.

Run #4Personnel: Shotgun, 5 WRTime: 0:53, 3rd & 6

Geno takes the snap and one step back before running directly up the gut for 9 yards to pickup the first down. Tough for him to slide and protect himself although he does not take a big hit at all.

SECOND QUARTER

Throw #7Personnel: Shotgun, 1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRTime: 11:49, 2nd & 16

Geno takes another three step drop and throws directly to Chris Ivory coming out of the backfield into the slot. He is tackled immediately for a gain of 3 after a good ball is delivered to Ivory. Play design has Ivory stop immediately and wait for the ball whereas if he kept running towards the flats he had some more running room to the outside.

Throw #8Personnel: Shotgun, 1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRTime: 13:42, 4th & 2

Geno takes a three step drop and holds the ball as the play develops on the right side with Chris Ivory running to the flat and Eric Decker running a short stop route in between two defenders. Geno chose to throw to Eric Decker on the stop and plants the ball right into his chest for a gain of 7. He also could've hit Ivory in the flat although it is a first down regardless.

Throw #9Personnel: Shotgun, 1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRTime: 11:49, 3rd & 3

Geno takes a three step drop and steps up in the pocket as the defensive ends come screaming around both the tackles. He is reading the right side of the defense and sees no one open so begins to step up in the pocket. He looks right and throws to Bilal Powell wide open in the flat for a gain of 12 as he gets dragged down by the defender as he is throwing the ball. A good job by Geno of knowing where his check down was after the play broke down. Powell looked to be open immediately with no defender on him although Geno was not reading that side of the defense.

Geno Smith takes the snap and drifts back telegraphs the wide receiver screen to Chris Johnson by looking at him right away. Although the throw is good, drifting back and to the same side of the formation gives away the play very quickly for a gain of 0.

Geno takes a three step drop as both defensive ends crash around the tackles and quickly close in on him from both his blindside and front side. He does not step into the throw to Kerley on the slant and as a result doesn't drive the ball ahead of Kerley. The receiver was not open but could've been thrown open with a good throw by Geno, which is tough when there is pressure from both sides. The pass is incomplete.

Geno opens up and pivots as if he's going to hand the ball off but barely shows much of a play fake to Chris Ivory. Eric Decker runs a stop and draws two defenders leaving Tommy Bohanon wide open in the flat for 14 yards. Good read and good throw, right on time.

Throw #13Personnel: Shotgun, 1 RB, 3 TE, 1 WRTime: 2:00, 1st & 10

Geno play fakes to the running back and then steps up after his 3 step drop to fire the ball to Sudfeld who is running right down the sideline. The guard clearly gets beat and Geno Smith gets hit incredibly hard and low as he attempts to release the ball down the field and it gets intercepted as it wobbles after he is hit. The ball was intended for Zach Sudfeld who was wide open down the sidelines running an out and up. This play is highly criticized in terms of play call, but the play call seems to be spot on as there is an open receiver near the end zone. The problem with Geno's decision on this play is that he can really throw this ball at any time. If he fires the ball to Sudfeld right away as he hits the back of his drop back it's a first down with running room. The throw is late and it may have been the hitch in his mechanics that he worked up into the pocket too far. This is because the defensive ends came screaming around the edge again at him and basically force him right into the guy that Brian Winters misses the block on. Tough play on all sides, but if 6'7" Zach Sudfeld knocks the ball down or Brian Winters holds his block a second longer we're probably talking about a touchdown or the ball down at the 1.

THIRD QUARTER

Throw #14Personnel: Shotgun, 1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRTime: 14:22, 2nd & 8

The Jets run a designed sprint out which is different from a rollout in that there is no play fake. He has pressure from the backside but escapes it easily and does not set his feet at all as he fires the ball to Decker running towards the sideline. The catch is complete after reviewing the play and Geno shows good innate ability to throw on the run for 14 yards.

Throw #15Personnel: Shotgun, 1 TE, 4 WRTime: 13:18, 2nd & 10

Geno takes a very quick three step drop on a play that is designed to get the ball out his hands very quickly as all the receivers run stop routes. The play is really busted from the start when Julius Peppers lines up outside the Jeff Cumberland and he doesn't even get a bump on him. This means Breno Giacomini has to literally sprint and try to cut block Peppers. He whiffs and Peppers hits Geno as he is throwing. The play was reviewed and it was ruled an incomplete pass but this is the prime example of Geno trying to turn into superman and throw the ball to what looks to be the far sideline while getting hit. He needs to tuck the ball and run or take the sack because either way the play was broken when Peppers basically got a free run to the edge. This was a poor play but it's something he can certainly work on and most young quarterbacks struggle with. There should definitely not be a potential sack that quickly on a three man rush as well.

Geno takes a deep drop with good footwork and faces immediate pressure up the middle on a play where Willie Colon could've easily gotten called for a hold. He sees Eric Decker streaking up the middle of the field with single coverage by a safety. The ball is slightly overthrown and goes through Eric Decker's outstretched hands on what would've had to have been a sensational play by Eric Decker to be complete. The problem with this play is that Geno instinctively rolls away from the pressure and he has plenty of time once he does so. If he sets his fight instead of trying to haul a 40 yard ball across his body on the run this is most likely a completion. It displays his poor awareness of where the rush is because he has plenty of time to set his feet.

Throw #17Personnel: Shotgun, 1 RB, 4 WRTime: 9:41, 3rd & 7

Geno takes a poor three step drop in which he simply just shuffles his feet on the drop back. His footwork had been pretty good up until this point. He doesn't step into the throw once again on the slant route for Eric Decker and as a result doesn't drive into the throw and throws the ball way behind Eric Decker for an incomplete pass.

Throw #18Personnel: Shotgun, 1 RB, 4 WRTime: 4:23, 3rd & 6

Geno takes a five step drop and faces immediate pressure in his face. His drop is good and he steps up and breaks a tackle throwing a light pass to Bilal Powell complete for 20 yards. A very good play by Geno to break a tackle and have the awareness to get the ball out of his hands quickly to the check down receiver who is wide open after a blitz.

Run #5Personnel: Under center, 2 RB, 1 TE, 2 WRTime: 3:07, 2nd & 7

Geno opens up for the play fake and then looks immediately to throw. He beats the end around the corner and scampers for a gain of one. Good awareness to tuck the ball and run as there are no open receivers.

Throw #19Personnel: Shotgun, 1 RB, 4 WRTime: 2:32, 3rd & 6

Geno takes a deep five step drop from the gun and steps up to throw to the crosser Jeremy Kerley. He doesn't drive the throw ahead of the receiver and tries to fire it past the defensive back on a ball that could've been intercepted. If he gets under the ball and has the awareness to realize the defender is running right with Kerley he once again could've thrown the receiver open.

Geno takes a quick drop back and doesn't square his body to Chris Johnson who is running a wide receiver screen running in towards the line. The ball sails high as Chris Johnson jumps for it and it goes through his hands. If he drives down into the ball the play could be setup for at least a good gain to setup to pin the opponent deeper in their zone.

FOURTH QUARTER

Throw #22Personnel: Shotgun, 1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRTime: 12:45, 1st & 10

Geno fakes to the running back very quickly on a play fake that isn't sold very well. He comes back to throw to his left and the ball is batted down immediately; incomplete.

Run #6Personnel: Shotgun, 1 RB, 4 WRTime: 12:45, 2nd & 10

Geno takes a three step drop and steps up into the pocket. The defensive end runs all the way around Giacomini and Geno decides to tuck the ball and run for a gain of 7. This is another poor example of pocket awareness as the pocket was there but Geno chose to tuck the ball and run. He still is able to gain positive yardage but did not let the play develop.

Throw #23Personnel: Shotgun, 1 RB, 4 WRTime: 12:01, 3rd & 3

Geno takes another shuffling 5 step drop and throws the crossing pattern immediately to Greg Salas. He steps left instead of stepping forward into the throw and as a result throws the ball way too far in front of Salas. Another good example of where the receiver needs to be thrown open and a touch throw allows the receiver to run for big yardage after the catch.

Throw #24Personnel: Shotgun, 1 RB, 4 WRTime: 8:57, 2nd & 5

Geno takes a flat footed three step drop and doesn't step into his throw but lofts the ball complete to Jeremy Kerley for a gain of 3. The throw was good and on time despite poor footwork.

Throw #25Personnel: Shotgun, 5 WRTime: 7:24, 2nd & 13

Geno takes a deep seven step drop and faces little pressure at all. He makes the right read and throws to Bohanon wide open in the flat for a gain of 16 rather than holding on to the ball. There was no flat defender so it allows for a long catch and run by the gritty fullback.

Throw #26Personnel: Shotgun, 1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRTime: 5:06, 4th & 4

Geno takes a quick three step drop and throws directly to David Nelson on a stop route for a gain of 6. He opens up and steps to his left while opening up his body but still delivers a strike to David Nelson despite the poor footwork. He was blitzed heavily on this play and got the ball out quickly and effectively for the first down.

Throw #27Personnel: Shotgun, 1 RB, 4 WRTime: 3:48, 2nd & 8

Geno takes a quick three step drop and looks to the left of the formation before facing pressure and throwing the wheel route to Chris Johnson who has Julius Peppers covering him on his right.. Chris Johnson makes a good play to knock the ball down so it is not intercepted. Geno has a wide open crosser running to his left but the problem is that there is a free rusher. He does a good job sliding to his right but throws a terrible ball to Chris Johnson that could've been intercepted.

Geno takes a seven step drop and throws in the direction of Jeremy Kerley running a fourteen yard stop route. He has good mechanics on the throw but may have had a poor grip as the ball sails inside of Kerley where he can't make a play on it.

Throw #29Personnel: Shotgun, 1 RB, 4 WRTime: 3:37, 4th & 8

Geno takes a five step drop and faces immediate pressure from both sides. He lofts the ball to jeremy Kerley and it is easily knocked down for an incompletion. He throws flat footed towards the center of the field whereas an outside throw may give Kerley a chance to make a play on the ball away from the safety. A tough play for him to make with so much pressure.